I wondered how long it would be before I found myself writing a blog post like this one.
Last week someone sent me a photograph of a theatre that was evidently based on one of mine.
I hadn’t made it and I sincerely hope that the person who owns it had not bought it because it had been sold as mine.
I have not asked for permission to reproduce their photograph here, which perhaps I should have done, however in an attempt to set the record straight…
Here is the prototype of one of my theatres – it is the one that had evidently been copied.
I have been making this type of theatre for many years now and…
… because I make far too many different things, I keep sample and prototypes of everything so that I can match colours / size etc when / if I would like to re-make something after a while.
Over the years this theatre has undergone changes.
For example it was greener than it is now – that is due to a change in printer / paper / inks etc.
The curtain was originally ribbed silk – this was a piece of antique fabric and eventually I had none left, so I had to reinvent the curtain.
(Incidentally, the current curtain is not a copy of a toy theatre curtain.)
The look of the boxes, for storing character pieces and scenery, has changed too – this is because I like variety.
The first theatres that I made, which looked exactly like my prototype, were (and still are) only available through one London retailer, and they have never been available on-line.
However, for this type of wooden theatre, I have sold on-line –
The Cinderella Set
For the record, the Cinderella set, which has not been mentioned here or been available on Etsy, has scenery that looks like this –
I like toy theatres and so I do make other types of theatre, and the characters and scenery to go with them.
However, this particular theatre is the one that has been most “visible” and widely available.
Hi Elizabeth,
I’ve also noticed a picture(s) of a theatre that looks just like yours and was attributed to someone else. I can’t remember where I saw it, maybe Facebook, and thought at the time that it wasn’t that person’s work, but yours. I also wondered if they were copying you. I probably should have posted something on Facebook! 😦 So sorry this has happened.
Kathleen
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Kathleen, some of my (miniaturist) friends have a Spot the Fake competition going on on Facebook at the moment.
It is an entirely personal vendetta for them, and they very kindly pass items of interest on to me, so I suspect that I know the item you are talking about.
If you would like to tell me about anything that you see in the future please do.
Plagiarism is occupational hazard for anyone who makes anything, but I do wish I did not have to go through the horrid process of trying to convince someone that it wasn’t who made something that they desperately wish I had made.
Elizabeth
(By the way, as far as I know, the photo I was sent hasn’t been on Facebook – yet).
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Elizabeth, how maddening. I hope you were able to reach the person that was selling the TT! There are so many graphics for old TTs I can’t understand why they would want to take your hard work and sell it as their own. But these people exist. garyinnH
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Gary, thank you for leaving a comment.
I think that you need to know where to look for toy theatre graphics and not everyone has your dedication in finding sources.
I admire your collection on Pinterest a great deal.
Elizabeth
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Che meraviglia!!! Mi dispiace tantissimo non aver ricevuto il tuo ventaglio. È stato comunque un gesto generoso da parte tua. Volevo che lo sapessi. Non mi piaceva l ‘idea che tu pensassi che io l’avessi ricevuto senza degnarmi di ringraziare. Purtroppo non è mai arrivato. Grazie ancora lo stesso.
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Dear Blanche,
Please accept my apologies – I cannot write in Italian, and I had to run your message through Google translate in order to read it.
I am very sorry that the fan did not reach you. I wish you had said something earlier.
I am painting and casting at the moment, but I hope to make some more fans in September.
Please remind me then, if you would still like one.
Elizabeth
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Thanks Elizabeth.
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